Wife beater

[María José]

In the OC the word wife beater is used to refer to the white sleeveless top worn by some men as a T-shirt but looking very much like a vest (underwear). An American friend of mine says he has never ever heard such a word. What about you?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cpuM9a394Zw/Shfm-XDDecI/AAAAAAAAB9o/typ0UN9mvOE/ben-mckenzie%5B2%5D.jpg
P.S. This thread is just an excuse to post a picture of the gorgeous Benjamin Mckenzie.

[Rusty]

I've never heard that term myself, but this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wifebeater_(shirt)#A-shirt) confirms its usage as another name for an A-shirt (also a term I haven't heard).
I don't own any sleeveless shirts, so I haven't paid much attention to what they're called, except tank top.

(The picture needs to be uploaded (use Manage Attachments) so the rest of us can see it.)

[María José]

Thanks for telling me about the picture, Rusty. Here goes:

[bobjenkins]

El wife beater obtiene/recibe su nombre porque los hombres los cuales golpean sus esposas lleven camisetas parecidas, pero por supuesto se está estereotipando cuando se lo dice. Es un estereotipo negativo, y es muy grosero a unas personas. Lo siento si os ofendo


http://products.postuptshirts.com/images/uploads/White2.JPG

[ers074]

Yes wife beaters or just "beaters/a beater" are what they are called. They are commonly mispronounced as "white beaters" because they are white, but make no mistake its a wife beaters. In America these are really only worn if one is going to workout. Otherwise wearing wife beater makes one look very cheap and "trashy" and they are worn a lot by Mexican/Mexicans landscapers so it gives a bad image.

Tank top refers to any other sleeveless shirt

[CrOtALiTo]

It's playera sport at least in Mexico.

Even thought is t-shirt in U.S.A.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

hahahha, that´s so funny. I like this kind of underwear, I find it more confortable that the one with sleeves, but you have to know that I always wear them under a shirt or polo shirt.

[poli]

A wife beater is also known as a guinea tee, or more properly a tank top.
The word guinea is an old-fashioned but somewhat insulting term for Italian-Americans, but for some reason it's OK to say guinea tee. No one gets insulted.

[María José]

Thanks guys.
:DIn general I don't like guys in wife beaters, but Benjamin McKenzie looks cute in anything...:D

[poli]

:shh:Les voy a decir que son cómodos. Las llevo yo, pero no sé si me hacen lucir cute o muy chabacano.:rolleyes:
No soy ningún Stanley Kowalski:lol:A lo mejor Estanley no usaría este foro.

[María José]

Probably not. He would be to busy being mean to the women in his life. Cute as well, anyway...

[Johnny Utah]

In America these are really only worn if one is going to workout. Otherwise wearing wife beater makes one look very cheap and "trashy" and they are worn a lot by Mexican/Mexicans landscapers so it gives a bad image.

Tank top refers to any other sleeveless shirt

I wear wife beaters all the time. I've never heard anyone call a person cheap or trashy for wearing one either, especially on a hot day.

If you don't like using the term "wife beater", the more polite term is "marital assault vest". :)

[pjt33]

A wife beater is also known as a guinea tee, or more properly a tank top.
Late to the party, but for me a tank top is a sleeveless jumper (sweater in en-us).

And wife-beater is also a nickname for the beer Stella Artois.

[poli]

Late to the party, but for me a tank top is a sleeveless jumper (sweater in en-us).

And wife-beater is also a nickname for the beer Stella Artois.
That's funny. Here a jumper is an outfit for a little girl.
Also, over here Stella Artois tries to promote itself as "high class". You can order a Stella here,and pay more for it. They'll give it to you in an immaculate shapely glass with a long stem and with Stella Artois written on it.:lol::lol:
I wonder if they have a Stanley beer?

[laepelba]

Yeah, I'm one of those who has an issue with the term wife-beater for those shirts. I suppose you can call me a feminist ... but I think it's just good taste....

Here's a link that has some ideas about where the term comes from: http://ask.reference.com/related/Why+Is+It+Called+a+Wife+Beater?qsrc=2892&l=dir&o=10601

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I don't think it's a matter of feminism, but of dignity (for both sexes). :)

Oh well...

[Jessica]

gosh when I saw this word I thought it meant people who abused their wives :/ boy am I wrong

[poli]

gosh when I saw this word I thought it meant people who abused their wives :/ boy am I wrong
:applause:
I just got this image of an eggbeater as an abusive egg.

[pjt33]

gosh when I saw this word I thought it meant people who abused their wives :/ boy am I wrong
It does. The item of clothing and brand of beer both acquired the name through association with violent husbands.

[María José]

hahahha, that´s so funny. I like this kind of underwear, I find it more confortable that the one with sleeves, but you have to know that I always wear them under a shirt or polo shirt.
I like your style.;)